The plane doors had just closed, and it hit me — this was the first time I’d ever traveled alone. No family, no friends, just me and a plane ticket to Santander, Spain. I’d finished my first year at UT Austin barely a month earlier, and now I was about to spend the summer living in a stranger’s home, speaking a language I’d only ever practiced in classrooms. Between the thrill of adventure and the knot of nerves in my stomach, I didn’t yet realize how much I was about to learn.
The Shock of Traveling Alone
Before this trip, I thought traveling was mainly about knowing your destination. But traveling alone made me realize how many tiny things I had taken for granted: reading train schedules in Spanish, asking strangers for directions, and figuring out airport transfers, all on my own.
On a weekend trip to Paris, I experienced my craziest travel day. A few classmates and I planned to visit both the Louvre and Versailles on the same day, then catch a bus back to our Airbnb before 7:30 p.m. What we didn’t know was that it coincided with the Tour de France’s final day. Roads were closed, buses rerouted, and our itinerary turned into a frantic scramble. It was stressful, but it taught me a crucial lesson about solo travel: always plan ahead and prepare for the unexpected. By the end of my first week abroad, I felt more independent than I ever had in college.
A Big Leap After My First Year
Most students I met abroad were juniors or seniors. When I said I’d just finished my first year at UT Austin, their eyebrows usually went up, and I felt the difference, too. My first year at UT was about learning to live on my own. Suddenly, I was thousands of miles away, with no safety net, and I had to adjust all at once.
That independence, while intimidating at first, ended up being one of the best parts of the trip. Even though I didn’t know anyone when I arrived, I met so many amazing classmates through the program. By the end, I had built friendships I’m excited to maintain back in Austin, which made the experience feel even richer.
Daily Life in Spain
Living in a homestay was eye-opening. My host mom was incredibly generous, providing three full meals a day, doing all my laundry (even ironing and starching my clothes), and washing my dishes before I could get to the sink. She welcomed me into her kitchen as if I were one of her own children.
It was a level of care that initially shocked me, but it ultimately helped me immerse myself in daily Spanish life. I also quickly discovered cultural differences. On one of my first nights, my host mom asked if I liked tortillas. I immediately said yes, picturing tacos or flour tortillas, the kind I was used to in Texas. To my surprise, a Spanish tortilla is more like a thick omelet with potatoes and sometimes ham or cheese. It quickly became one of my favorite dishes, but that night was the first of many moments when I realized how much I had to learn about Spain.
Finding My Place
By the end of the program, I started to feel less like a visitor and more like someone who belonged. One of my favorite moments came just before I left. I was sitting at a bus stop in Santander when a Spanish woman approached me, asking if she was at the right stop. I not only knew the answer, but I could help her find her connection and understand her frustration.
That small interaction was a moment when I realized how much my Spanish had grown; I wasn’t just speaking it functionally, but connecting with people in a natural, human way. It showed me how much I had learned about the city, the language, and myself in just a few short weeks.
What I Took Away
Looking back, the biggest lesson was how much growth happens outside your comfort zone. Traveling alone, being younger than most students abroad, living in a new culture, and forming meaningful friendships taught me more in a few weeks than I expected in years.
I came back not only more confident in my Spanish but also more confident in myself. I knew I could handle uncertainty, solve problems on my own, and even enjoy the process of getting lost or making mistakes. I also returned with a network of friends from around the world, whose perspectives and stories I’ll continue to learn from back in Austin.
For anyone at UT Austin considering studying abroad, especially if you feel “too new” to college, I’d say go for it. You’ll learn as much about yourself as about the country you’re in, and those lessons stick with you long after the plane lands back home.
This post was contributed by Abigail Vandiver, a Global Ambassador for Summer 2025. Abigail is a College of Liberal Arts junior who studied abroad at the University of Cantabria in Santander, Spain
